The problem of pediatric cancer is a destroyer of dreams, lives, and families. This disease has sparked an uprising to its threat. Started at Penn State College, Four Diamonds has taken off as a full-fledged assault against this disease by creating Mini-Thon. This is a 12-hour gathering in 265 high schools in eight states, this number is growing. The goal of these gathering is to raise funds for pediatric cancer in hopes of defeating this awful disease.
Brandywine Heights High School, after lots of planning, opened their doors at 7 p.m. on April 27 for community hour. During this hour game tickets and food were sold helping to raise the necessary funds. At 8 p.m. community hour was over. Students at the district then paid their $20 and received their “BHHS Mini-Thon” T-shirt that was reserved with a $5 down-payment at the beginning of the year.
Fundraising before Mini-Thon is key to the process, some sponsors of the event include, “The Liberty Alehouse,” “Clover Farms” and “Chick-fil-A”. The Liberty Alehouse donated close to $600 from their sales on a Monday night. Clover Farms gave tea and lemonade to the school for the students to enjoy. Finally, Chick-fil-A gave close to 300 chicken sandwiches for students to enjoy. Everything, after the opening twenty dollars, is free for students during Mini-Thon.
Kids get bored very easily. That being said there has to be plenty to do throughout the night. Some notable attractions were an inflatable bounce house as well as an inflatable obstacle course that students could face off one another in, a DJ was hired for the first few hours of the night. And finally, a gym divided for basketball and volleyball. Around 11 students were fed chicken sandwiches for dinner and early in the morning around 5:30 breakfast was served with coffee and waffles.
After an extremely tiring night, departure time for home was seven in the morning. The exhausting fun was just one of the reasons students partook in this event. The real reason was caring, we all know someone affected by cancer and were happy to help the cause. Mini-Thon is a blessing that can only be carried out by ones who care.